Israeli Military Destroys Tunnel Complex in Southern Lebanon
On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) demolished a large underground structure located beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. The explosion was substantial—so much so that seismologists registered it as a magnitude 4.1 earthquake.
The Ali al-Taher ridge is approximately ten miles from the Israeli border and has been a key operational area for the IDF since Israel escalated its military actions in Lebanon following a series of attacks by Hezbollah back in March.
Just last week, the IDF announced it had achieved “operational control” over this ridge and initiated efforts to clear out a vast tunnel network that Hezbollah had developed over more than two decades.
Israeli officials described this underground facility as being over a mile wide, containing “dozens of Iranian-made rockets, missiles, UAVs, machine guns, numerous anti-tank missiles, and hundreds of mines and explosive devices.” This complex also served as a command center for Hezbollah’s Badr unit, its main brigade in the region.
Footage recorded by IDF soldiers and drones exploring the tunnels was released on Friday.
The joint statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the significance of the operation, calling it “strategic terror infrastructure built over two decades, with Iranian funding and planning.” They noted that the facilities were intended to facilitate attacks on northern Israel, particularly with observation and fire control over areas like Metula and Kiryat Shmona. The destruction of the tunnels marks a significant achievement in asserting operational dominance over the ridge.
Netanyahu and Katz reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining security in northern Israel and promised to continue dismantling terrorist infrastructure to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing a foothold or restoring its military capabilities.
Brig. Gen. Yiftach Norkin, heading the IDF’s 36th Division, described the demolition of the Ali al-Taher complex as “one of the most complex operations we have carried out.” He stated that they navigated various threats and challenges while ensuring the safety of their forces. Norkin confirmed that the operation resulted in the use of “1,100 tons of explosives,” significantly diminishing Hezbollah’s command and control in the area. Other officials indicated that losing this underground asset dealt a severe psychological and physical blow to the group.
Recognizing that Hezbollah would resist fiercely, the IDF employed deceptive strategies to mislead enemy fighters guarding the entrances. When the IDF launched its attack, many Hezbollah operatives were caught off guard, but some remained trapped inside the facility, fighting until the end. Despite attempts to regroup and resupply, only a few fighters managed to escape, while others chose not to surrender.
Reports suggested that Hezbollah made urgent appeals to Iran for assistance during the confrontation, yet Tehran declined to intervene. The IDF later clarified that no Iranian personnel were captured or killed during the operation.
Interestingly, during diplomatic discussions in June, the U.S. had offered to allow the Lebanese Army to take over the Ali al-Taher ridge if Hezbollah agreed to vacate its base, but Hezbollah rejected this proposal.
The U.S. Geological Survey remarked on the seismic activity from the explosion, relating it to a 4.1 magnitude quake felt even miles away. Locals described the experience, with one resident of Nabatieh recalling how the ground shook and the sky brightened before a terrifying noise followed. He shared how the incident alarmed people, leading some to flee in search of safety.
Analysts have suggested that Hezbollah aimed to utilize the Ali al-Taher complex as a launch point for potential military actions against northern Israel. However, those strategies have been severely hindered as IDF operations have reportedly neutralized up to 90 percent of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket capabilities.
